To think that RDA could've easily been cut and we wouldn't have batted an eye

[RiotWyatt]

In his debut he got KTFO'd by Jeremy Stephens, who at the time was a 2-2 guy who then loss 2 in a row right afterwards.

Then he immediately lost again to Tyson Griffin who went 2-4 after beating him and subsequently got cut by the UFC.

That could've been it. The UFC could've cut him. His only saving grace was that Griffin was a top guy and RDA's fight with him was close and exciting.

In a way though, those losses were a blessing in disguise as RDA was relegated to facing weaker competition where he went 3-0, allowing him to improve his game before getting a step back up in competition and we all know the story from there. Stephens and Griffin however continued facing the top guys and couldn't cut it.

From 2010-2016, in 14 fights, RDA has had probably the best strength of schedule.

 

[Harmonica]

This puny mortal shall be reminded why challenging a god isn't such a good idea.

 

[3betUSA]

This guy is what a fighter should be about.

 

[El chapo Jr.]

RDA will be cut by that left hand shot.

 

[3betUSA]

RDA will be cut by that left hand shot.

You must be a newb

 

[Le Choad]

You have to go back one more year, but I think Frankie Edgar had a tougher 14 fight stretch.

Maybe even Hendricks too and those are just the first two I thought of.

But yes, it is trippy the champ would have probably got cut after his second fight nowadays. Makes me wonder if any future champs have been cut recently.

 

[karatekick1]

He was thrown to the wolves both Griffin and Stephens were highly regarded at the time and the fights were barnburners.

 

[Head Clean Off]

In his debut he got KTFO'd by Jeremy Stephens, who at the time was a 2-2 guy who then loss 2 in a row right afterwards.

Then he immediately lost again to Tyson Griffin who went 2-4 after beating him and subsequently got cut by the UFC.

That could've been it. The UFC could've cut him. His only saving grace was that Griffin was a top guy and RDA's fight with him was close and exciting.

In a way though, those losses were a blessing in disguise as RDA was relegated to facing weaker competition where he went 3-0, allowing him to improve his game before getting a step back up in competition and we all know the story from there. Stephens and Griffin however continued facing the top guys and couldn't cut it.

From 2010-2016, in 14 fights, RDA has had probably the best strength of schedule.

he hit puberty in his 30s

 

[Based and White Pilled]

The toughest schedule of anyone in mma over those six years? Jon Jones, JDS, Condit, Henricks, Aldo, Frankie, Ben Henderson, Donald Cerrone, Daniel Cormier, etc etc....

Anyone who has been a consistent top 5 guy for the past 5 years has had at least a comparable, if not definitively better, strength of schedule.

I will say that if you start in 2014 instead of 2010, he has had an extremely tough schedule. He very well may have had the toughest 2 year stretch of any fighter in that period.

 

[JDragon]

I got a different question: What are examples of fighters getting cut (as opposed to contract not extended etc.) only to return later and become champions?

Werdum I guess?
Lawler?

Any other examples?

 

[Automatic Man]

Doubt he wuld have been cut, he was easily winning the Stephens fight and got caught, then of course a loss to highly regarded Tyson Griffin in a exciting fight was nothing to be ashamed of...even if he was cut he would have fought his way back to the UFC.

Regardless, i never thought I would be a fan. dude was never even a fighter that crossed my mind,until he crushed my boy Bendo..

 

[Sparrow52]

His turn around has been amazing. Horse meat has been good to a lot of mma champs.